How to Grill Fish Fillets

METHOD: Direct grilling

ADVANCE PREPARATION: 30 minutes to 1 hour for marinating the fish

It’s a cruel irony. The boneless fillet is America’s favorite form of fish to eat, but it’s also the most difficult to grill. The reason is simple: The skin and bones are what give fish its structure, so without them the fillet tends to fall apart or stick to the grill—or both. The secret is to use either a fish basket or fish grate. The former is a hinged wire basket in which you sandwich the fillets, the latter is a wire grid or flat metal plate with holes in it. The rigidity of the plate keeps the fish fillet from breaking, while the holes allow smoke and fire flavors to reach the fish.